Earlier this month, I depleted my ECB for Card1 and decided to "rest" the card for a bit. Of course, that meant a money-making opportunity was bound to pop up. And it did. Actually, once tax is added into the mix, my transaction wasn't really a money-maker. It ended up costing 27 cents.
I began with NO ECB.
Regular Prices:
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
3.99 Wavy Lays
3.99 Wavy Lays
3.79 M+M (14oz)
3.49 Vlasic Pickles
1.99 Fig Newtons (8oz)
1.99 Fig Newtons (8oz)
1.00 CVS Party Mix
1.00 CVS Party Mix
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
0.89 M+M Pretzel
33.70 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
3.99 Wavy Lays
3.99 Wavy Lays
1.98 M+M (14oz)
1.50 Vlasic Pickles
0.98 Fig Newtons (8oz)
0.98 Fig Newtons (8oz)
1.00 CVS Party Mix
1.00 CVS Party Mix
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
0.48 M+M Pretzel
24.89 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
4.00 STORE Coupon "Save $4 on $20+ Purchase"
3.99 STORE Promotion "Buy 1 Lays, Get 1 Free"
1.00 STORE Coupon "$1 Off Any 2 CVS Snacks"
1.00 STORE Coupon "$1 Off Any CVS Haircare"
0.89 STORE Coupon "Buy Any M+M, Get Pretzel M+M"
4.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Buy 1 Old Spice, Get 1 Free"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off Any Two Nabisco"
17.17 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to $7.72, plus $0.55 in tax, for a grand total of $8.27. However I earned 8.00ECB (Old Spice Body Wash X 2), making my net cost for nearly $35 in merchandise only 27 cents.
The cashier also started scanning items before scanning my card, forcing the register to display regular, undiscounted prices. That meant my BOGO Old Spice was recorded as a $5.29 coupon (instead of a $4.00 coupon) and my BOGO M+M was recorded as 89 cents instead of just 48 cents. The extra $2 makes the deal even better.
I began with NO ECB, so I spent no ECB, but earned 8.00ECB.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
2010-05-24 -- $1.68
I began with 8.00ECB.
Regular Prices:
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
3.49 Vlasic Dill Pickles (24oz)
0.89 M+M
0.89 M+M Pretzel
15.85 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
4.00 Old Spice Body Wash
4.00 Old Spice Body Wash
1.50 Vlasic Dill Pickles (24oz)
0.48 M+M
0.48 M+M Pretzel
10.46 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
0.89 STORE Coupon "Buy any M+M, get free M+M Pretzel"
5.29 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Buy 1 Old Spice, Get 1 Free"
3.00 ExtraBuck
9.18 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My total was $1.28, plus $0.66 in tax, for a grand total of $1.94. In addition, I spent 3.00ECB, earned 8.00ECB (Old Spice 4X2), leaving me with 13.00ECB.
This transaction is a great example of the benefits of a hasty cashier. The cashier scanned an item before I handed over my card, resulting in non-sale prices being displayed on the monitor. The cashier awarded $5.29 and $0.89 for the BOGO coupons I used, resulting in nearly two dollars in overage.
Of course, this deal was destined as a money-maker (in ECB) since CVS was paying me 4.00ECB to buy two Old Spice body washes (already tossed into the donation bin).
Regular Prices:
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
5.29 Old Spice Body Wash
3.49 Vlasic Dill Pickles (24oz)
0.89 M+M
0.89 M+M Pretzel
15.85 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
4.00 Old Spice Body Wash
4.00 Old Spice Body Wash
1.50 Vlasic Dill Pickles (24oz)
0.48 M+M
0.48 M+M Pretzel
10.46 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
0.89 STORE Coupon "Buy any M+M, get free M+M Pretzel"
5.29 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Buy 1 Old Spice, Get 1 Free"
3.00 ExtraBuck
9.18 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My total was $1.28, plus $0.66 in tax, for a grand total of $1.94. In addition, I spent 3.00ECB, earned 8.00ECB (Old Spice 4X2), leaving me with 13.00ECB.
This transaction is a great example of the benefits of a hasty cashier. The cashier scanned an item before I handed over my card, resulting in non-sale prices being displayed on the monitor. The cashier awarded $5.29 and $0.89 for the BOGO coupons I used, resulting in nearly two dollars in overage.
Of course, this deal was destined as a money-maker (in ECB) since CVS was paying me 4.00ECB to buy two Old Spice body washes (already tossed into the donation bin).
The Hasty Cashier Can Be Your Friend
A hasty cashier is always your best friend at CVS. I am not really speaking about the "quickness" of the checkout process, although moving the line quickly is never a bad thing. The best thing about a hasty cashier is that she will invariably scan your first item before you have a chance to hand over your ExtraCare card.
As a result, when all your items scan, they scan at the un-discounted, non-card price, regardless of whether the card is scanned after the first item or after all the items. This is beneficial for two reasons. First, a high non-sale-price total allows you to take advantage of the many CVS "Save $X Off $XX" coupon. For example, a bottle of body wash may cost $8.99 and be on discount for $4.99. If your "X Off $XX" coupon mandates that you must spend $25 to save $5, then you only need to by three bottles (8.99X3) to exceed $25 and use the $5 Off coupon. If your card is initially scanned, prices will ring up at $4.99, forcing you to purchase SIX of them (since 5X4.99 doesn't yield a $25 purchase).
Now of course, the CVS registers will generally accept any "$X Off $XX" coupon when the non-sale price exceeds the purchase level. However, I have encountered many cashiers who will refuse to take the coupon when they read that your purchase must be $25 and the amount showing on their register is less than $25. Usually, by citing the "undiscounted price", the cashier often relents and takes the coupon. But it's still a hassle and leads cashiers to think you are "scamming them".
The second great value with a hasty cashier who scans an item before scanning your card is that all prices are displayed on the register at the regular price. Hence, when the cashier processes any "free item" coupons, she will tend to use the full, non-discounted, non-card price, giving you more than you spent (overage). Some may quibble that this is not fair or legal, since you are only paying $4.99 and being given $8.99 credit, but as long as the $8.99 is recorded on the coupon as the legitimate price (which it is), then the store is being made whole, as the manufacturer will reimburse for the $8.99 amount.
CVS cashiers are trained to always ask for your card up front, but the training seems varied on whether they should wait for the card or start scanning right away.
As a result, when all your items scan, they scan at the un-discounted, non-card price, regardless of whether the card is scanned after the first item or after all the items. This is beneficial for two reasons. First, a high non-sale-price total allows you to take advantage of the many CVS "Save $X Off $XX" coupon. For example, a bottle of body wash may cost $8.99 and be on discount for $4.99. If your "X Off $XX" coupon mandates that you must spend $25 to save $5, then you only need to by three bottles (8.99X3) to exceed $25 and use the $5 Off coupon. If your card is initially scanned, prices will ring up at $4.99, forcing you to purchase SIX of them (since 5X4.99 doesn't yield a $25 purchase).
Now of course, the CVS registers will generally accept any "$X Off $XX" coupon when the non-sale price exceeds the purchase level. However, I have encountered many cashiers who will refuse to take the coupon when they read that your purchase must be $25 and the amount showing on their register is less than $25. Usually, by citing the "undiscounted price", the cashier often relents and takes the coupon. But it's still a hassle and leads cashiers to think you are "scamming them".
The second great value with a hasty cashier who scans an item before scanning your card is that all prices are displayed on the register at the regular price. Hence, when the cashier processes any "free item" coupons, she will tend to use the full, non-discounted, non-card price, giving you more than you spent (overage). Some may quibble that this is not fair or legal, since you are only paying $4.99 and being given $8.99 credit, but as long as the $8.99 is recorded on the coupon as the legitimate price (which it is), then the store is being made whole, as the manufacturer will reimburse for the $8.99 amount.
CVS cashiers are trained to always ask for your card up front, but the training seems varied on whether they should wait for the card or start scanning right away.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
2010-05-15 -- $8.76
Yikes, a whopper of a purchase, but as noted before, this was the last day of the $1.00 CVS generic Zyrtec sale. Two stores had already been depleted of the special one-time 100% BONUS packs (containing 10 tablets instead of 5), but I headed to Store #3 to find some more.
I began with 8.99ECB.
Regular Prices:
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
6.99 Hawaiian Tropic Sensitive Skin
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
Sale Prices:
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
6.99 Hawaiian Tropic Sensitive Skin
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
21.99 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Skincare"
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Hawaiian Tropic"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off 2 ActII"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off 2 ActII"
4.99 ExtraBuck
4.00 ExtraBuck
13.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to $8.00, a HUGE amount, but as noted earlier, a good chunk of this was to buy the extremely-discounted and much-needed CVS generic Zyrtec. I now have roughly a 90-day supply, which should last for the remainder of 2010. Tax came to 76 cents, so my total amount spent was $8.76.
I began with 8.99 ECB, spent all of them, but earned back 8.00ECB (5ECB for Hawaiian Tropic and 3ECB for $10 Worth Of Hunts/ActII).
I began with 8.99ECB.
Regular Prices:
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
6.99 Hawaiian Tropic Sensitive Skin
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
Sale Prices:
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
6.99 Hawaiian Tropic Sensitive Skin
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 ActII Popcorn
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
1.99 Hunts Snack Pack
21.99 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any Skincare"
2.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Hawaiian Tropic"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off 2 ActII"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off 2 ActII"
4.99 ExtraBuck
4.00 ExtraBuck
13.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to $8.00, a HUGE amount, but as noted earlier, a good chunk of this was to buy the extremely-discounted and much-needed CVS generic Zyrtec. I now have roughly a 90-day supply, which should last for the remainder of 2010. Tax came to 76 cents, so my total amount spent was $8.76.
I began with 8.99 ECB, spent all of them, but earned back 8.00ECB (5ECB for Hawaiian Tropic and 3ECB for $10 Worth Of Hunts/ActII).
2010-05-15 -- 58 Cents
I had sampled the CVS generic version of Zyrtec earlier in the week and found the 24-hour pill to work great for my allergies. Since I had depleted my huge stockpile of CVS generic Claritin (which I had gotten in 2008 and 2009), I was in need of more allergy relief, so I headed out on Saturday to find the special 10-count 100% BONUS packs of the CVS Zyrtec. The 5-count had been advertised all week at $1.00, marked down from $4.99-$5.39, a huge savings. Many stores had two 5-counts bundled together, making it an even greater deal.
The only negative thing was that all of the dual-packaged 100% BONUS boxes have expiration dates of 10-10, just over 4 months away. Still it was a great deal worth actually spending money on.
Regular Prices:
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec
3.89 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
3.89 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
3.89 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
4.49 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
3.89 Crest ProHealth (4.2oz)
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
26.03 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
1.00 CVS Generic Zyrtec
1.00 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
1.00 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
1.00 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
3.00 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
2.75 Crest ProHealth (4.2oz)
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
10.74 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "$2 Off Dove Bag"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off Dove Bag"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Bayer"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Bayer"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Bayer"
2.00 ExtraBuck
1.74 ExtraBuck (Reduced down from 1.80ECB)
10.74 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts Applied
My coupon amount exceeded my actual purchase amount, forcing the cashier to reduce my 1.80ECB to 1.74ECB. When the reduction is so small, I rarely mind losing just a few cents. That reduction made my balance come to zero, plus 58 cents in tax, for a grand total of $0.58.
Because this store had already activated their new weekly sales, the price for Crest ProHealth was no longer $3.50. The new price was $2.75. When priced at $3.50 last week, Crest Pro-Health was generating a full 3.50ECB, making the toothpaste free.
CVS registers are programmed to always give the customer the "best price". Simimlarly, when items are advertised for ECB, they generally only print when that price is paid. I had scanned the Crest in-store and saw that it was pricing out 75 cents cheaper, so I figured no ECB would print out. Yet, since the sale was still in effect, the store generally honors the ECB from the ad.
When my receipt started printing out, there was no tell-tale "triple-beep" that you hear when ECB are being printed. I noted this to the cashier. She reviewed the receipt and noted that "Crest" was not appearing as one of my completed deals. She was rather new at her job (it's actually a store that's only been open for 3 months), so she called for assistance.
The lead cashier who appeared knew exactly what to do, quickly instructing the other to scan the receipt, scan my card, input the CVS "event code" which is listed in the ad, and press ENTER. And *poof* another receipt begins printing, complete with the "triple-beep". I know from experience that when you get your ECB printed "after-the-fact", it always rounds up, so my 3.50ECB printed as a 4.00ECB. And since I only paid $2.75 for the Crest, I made 1.25 on the item. It would have been an even better deal had I gotten coupon inserts a couple weeks ago, but I had reduced my insert-purchasing of late, especially since the deals haven't been all that worthwhile.
So, I began with 8.79ECB, spent 3.80ECB (2ECB+1.80ECB), but earned back 4.00ECB. My ending balance for Card2 becomes 8.99ECB.
The only negative thing was that all of the dual-packaged 100% BONUS boxes have expiration dates of 10-10, just over 4 months away. Still it was a great deal worth actually spending money on.
Regular Prices:
4.99 CVS Generic Zyrtec
3.89 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
3.89 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
3.89 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
4.49 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
3.89 Crest ProHealth (4.2oz)
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
26.03 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
1.00 CVS Generic Zyrtec
1.00 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
1.00 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
1.00 Bayer Aspirin (24ct)
3.00 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
2.75 Crest ProHealth (4.2oz)
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
10.74 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "$2 Off Dove Bag"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "$1 Off Dove Bag"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Bayer"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Bayer"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Bayer"
2.00 ExtraBuck
1.74 ExtraBuck (Reduced down from 1.80ECB)
10.74 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts Applied
My coupon amount exceeded my actual purchase amount, forcing the cashier to reduce my 1.80ECB to 1.74ECB. When the reduction is so small, I rarely mind losing just a few cents. That reduction made my balance come to zero, plus 58 cents in tax, for a grand total of $0.58.
Because this store had already activated their new weekly sales, the price for Crest ProHealth was no longer $3.50. The new price was $2.75. When priced at $3.50 last week, Crest Pro-Health was generating a full 3.50ECB, making the toothpaste free.
CVS registers are programmed to always give the customer the "best price". Simimlarly, when items are advertised for ECB, they generally only print when that price is paid. I had scanned the Crest in-store and saw that it was pricing out 75 cents cheaper, so I figured no ECB would print out. Yet, since the sale was still in effect, the store generally honors the ECB from the ad.
When my receipt started printing out, there was no tell-tale "triple-beep" that you hear when ECB are being printed. I noted this to the cashier. She reviewed the receipt and noted that "Crest" was not appearing as one of my completed deals. She was rather new at her job (it's actually a store that's only been open for 3 months), so she called for assistance.
The lead cashier who appeared knew exactly what to do, quickly instructing the other to scan the receipt, scan my card, input the CVS "event code" which is listed in the ad, and press ENTER. And *poof* another receipt begins printing, complete with the "triple-beep". I know from experience that when you get your ECB printed "after-the-fact", it always rounds up, so my 3.50ECB printed as a 4.00ECB. And since I only paid $2.75 for the Crest, I made 1.25 on the item. It would have been an even better deal had I gotten coupon inserts a couple weeks ago, but I had reduced my insert-purchasing of late, especially since the deals haven't been all that worthwhile.
So, I began with 8.79ECB, spent 3.80ECB (2ECB+1.80ECB), but earned back 4.00ECB. My ending balance for Card2 becomes 8.99ECB.
Friday, May 14, 2010
2010-05-13 -- $1.56
I began with 8.80ECB.
Regular Prices:
5.39 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
5.39 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
5.29 Kotex
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
17.06 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
1.00 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
1.00 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 Kotex
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
7.98 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Kotex"
5.00 ExtraBuck
7.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to 98 cents, plus 58 cents in tax for a grand total of $1.56. I began with 8.80ECB, spent 5.00 ECB, and earned back 4.99ECB (Kotex). My ECB balance is now 8.79ECB.
Regular Prices:
5.39 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
5.39 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
5.29 Kotex
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
17.06 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
1.00 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
1.00 CVS Generic Zyrtec (10ct)
4.99 Kotex
0.99 CVS Coastal Rain Shampoo
7.98 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Kotex"
5.00 ExtraBuck
7.00 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to 98 cents, plus 58 cents in tax for a grand total of $1.56. I began with 8.80ECB, spent 5.00 ECB, and earned back 4.99ECB (Kotex). My ECB balance is now 8.79ECB.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
2010-05-10 -- ZERO !!
Twice in one week ! Actually, it was more like Twice in Two Days ! I began with a measly 1.00ECB and wanted to rest the card for Household1 for awhile.
Regular Prices:
5.39 CVS Fake Zyrtec (10ct)
0.99 CVS HairGel
6.38 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
1.00 CVS Fake Zyrtec (10ct)
0.99 CVS HairGel
1.99 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS HairCare"
0.99 ExtraBuck (reduced from 1.00ECB)
1.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
So, my balance came to zero, resulting in no tax, making my transaction entirely FREE. And *poof*, I have no remaining ExtraBucks for Card1. I will still scan the card at the coupon machine, but likely not invest any actual cash to re-build my ECB on this card for awhile.
Unless, of course, a killer deal appears.
Regular Prices:
5.39 CVS Fake Zyrtec (10ct)
0.99 CVS HairGel
6.38 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
1.00 CVS Fake Zyrtec (10ct)
0.99 CVS HairGel
1.99 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS HairCare"
0.99 ExtraBuck (reduced from 1.00ECB)
1.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
So, my balance came to zero, resulting in no tax, making my transaction entirely FREE. And *poof*, I have no remaining ExtraBucks for Card1. I will still scan the card at the coupon machine, but likely not invest any actual cash to re-build my ECB on this card for awhile.
Unless, of course, a killer deal appears.
2010-05-09 -- 64 Cents
I began with 10.30ECB.
Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Lavendar)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Oat/Palm)
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
0.99 CVS Essence of Beauty Loofah
9.45 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
3.00 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Lavendar)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Oat/Palm)
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
0.99 CVS Essence of Beauty Loofah
7.96 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any 2 Bar Soap"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any Essence of Beauty Item"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Dove Chocolate"
1.50 ExtraBuck
7.50 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to 46 cents, plus 18 cents in tax, for a grand total of 64 cents. I spent 1.50ECB, but did not earn any, bringing my balance to 8.80ECB.
Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Lavendar)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Oat/Palm)
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
0.99 CVS Essence of Beauty Loofah
9.45 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
3.00 Dove Chocolate (8.5oz)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Lavendar)
1.49 Yardley Bar Soap (Oat/Palm)
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
0.99 CVS Essence of Beauty Loofah
7.96 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any 2 Bar Soap"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Any Essence of Beauty Item"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Any Dove Chocolate"
1.50 ExtraBuck
7.50 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to 46 cents, plus 18 cents in tax, for a grand total of 64 cents. I spent 1.50ECB, but did not earn any, bringing my balance to 8.80ECB.
Monday, May 10, 2010
2010-05-09 -- ZERO !
I began with 9.00ECB.
Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 Progresso Soup
2.99 Progresso Soup
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 CVS Escape Body Wash
1.99 CVS Tranquil Body Wash
1.69 CVS Essence of Beauty Scrub
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
21.11 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
3.00 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 Progresso Soup
2.99 Progresso Soup
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 CVS Escape Body Wash
1.99 CVS Tranquil Body Wash
1.69 CVS Essence of Beauty Scrub
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
19.62 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.99 STORE BOGO Progresso Soup
1.99 STORE BOGO Bowl Appetit
1.00 STORE BOGO Half "Any CVS Beauty Brand"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Save $2 on Any 2 BodyWash"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Save $2 on Any Essence of Beauty"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Save $1 on Dove"
4.50 ExtraBuck
1.95 ExtraBuck (reduced from 2.00ECB)
1.50 ExtraBuck
19.93 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
Yup, it happens rarely, but my balance came to a negative 31 cents. I had only 31 cents in taxes, so my out-of-pocket expense was EXACTLY ZERO.
You will also notice that my ECB amount has been decimated. I began with 9.00ECB and spent 8.00ECB (actually only 7.95ECB since my total was negative and CVS can't pay me an actual nickel to shop). That leaves me with just 1ECB.
Frankly, the ECB offers for the past couple months have been for items that are either too pricey or too unnecessary (or both). It has become harder and harder to find items that were WORTH buying, so I opted to stop the rolling on this card, cash out my ECBs to buy things that I (mostly) needed that were fairly priced. Even then, the bodywashes will get donated to charity and the Essence of Beauty tchotchke will get tossed into the XMAS Box for gifting at the holidays.
A measly 1ECB is all that remains for Household1.
Regular Prices:
4.49 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 Progresso Soup
2.99 Progresso Soup
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 CVS Escape Body Wash
1.99 CVS Tranquil Body Wash
1.69 CVS Essence of Beauty Scrub
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
21.11 TOTAL Regular Prices
Sale Prices:
3.00 Dove Chocolate (9.5oz)
2.99 Progresso Soup
2.99 Progresso Soup
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 Bowl Appetit
1.99 CVS Escape Body Wash
1.99 CVS Tranquil Body Wash
1.69 CVS Essence of Beauty Scrub
0.99 CVS Hair Gel
19.62 TOTAL Sale Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
2.99 STORE BOGO Progresso Soup
1.99 STORE BOGO Bowl Appetit
1.00 STORE BOGO Half "Any CVS Beauty Brand"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Save $2 on Any 2 BodyWash"
2.00 STORE Coupon "Save $2 on Any Essence of Beauty"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Any CVS Haircare"
1.00 MANUFACTURER Coupon "Save $1 on Dove"
4.50 ExtraBuck
1.95 ExtraBuck (reduced from 2.00ECB)
1.50 ExtraBuck
19.93 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
Yup, it happens rarely, but my balance came to a negative 31 cents. I had only 31 cents in taxes, so my out-of-pocket expense was EXACTLY ZERO.
You will also notice that my ECB amount has been decimated. I began with 9.00ECB and spent 8.00ECB (actually only 7.95ECB since my total was negative and CVS can't pay me an actual nickel to shop). That leaves me with just 1ECB.
Frankly, the ECB offers for the past couple months have been for items that are either too pricey or too unnecessary (or both). It has become harder and harder to find items that were WORTH buying, so I opted to stop the rolling on this card, cash out my ECBs to buy things that I (mostly) needed that were fairly priced. Even then, the bodywashes will get donated to charity and the Essence of Beauty tchotchke will get tossed into the XMAS Box for gifting at the holidays.
A measly 1ECB is all that remains for Household1.
Surprise
Way back in 2008, I registered both of my cards online with CVS. As a result, I receive weekly meaningless emails offering "savings" for online purchases. I rarely visit cvs.com, aside from a quick look to load up the latest sales circular. Last weekend, I came across my password and login information for my cards and decided to peruse my "accounts" online.
I was startled to see 1.50 "reward certificates" on each account. And a link to print them out. Now, each quarter, CVS "pays" you for making purchases, with a flat 2% return on your out-of-pocket expenses. Since I typically spend little cash at CVS, my quarterly reward is generally quite low. And back on April 1, I received my quarterly one-time 1.50ECB from the in-store scanner for each account. I used them earlier in April and was surprised to see yet another set of them online.
I printed them out per the website directions. They printed as full pages, with no bar codes, just instructions for the cashier to input a code number. I figured that since I had already "spent" my quarterly reward that the "coupon" would come up as void or "already used".
I attached each sheet to each card ans went shopping. And, shockingly, both coupons worked !! So it was an extra 1.50ECB, although my receipts do simply show them as "CVS Coupons" and not "CVS MFR Coupons" like ECB.
It was a nice surprise and raises my ECB balances.
Card1 = 9.00ECB
Card2 = 10.30ECB
I was startled to see 1.50 "reward certificates" on each account. And a link to print them out. Now, each quarter, CVS "pays" you for making purchases, with a flat 2% return on your out-of-pocket expenses. Since I typically spend little cash at CVS, my quarterly reward is generally quite low. And back on April 1, I received my quarterly one-time 1.50ECB from the in-store scanner for each account. I used them earlier in April and was surprised to see yet another set of them online.
I printed them out per the website directions. They printed as full pages, with no bar codes, just instructions for the cashier to input a code number. I figured that since I had already "spent" my quarterly reward that the "coupon" would come up as void or "already used".
I attached each sheet to each card ans went shopping. And, shockingly, both coupons worked !! So it was an extra 1.50ECB, although my receipts do simply show them as "CVS Coupons" and not "CVS MFR Coupons" like ECB.
It was a nice surprise and raises my ECB balances.
Card1 = 9.00ECB
Card2 = 10.30ECB
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
2010-05-04 -- 28 Cents
Another unremarkable shopping adventure. I began with 10.50ECB.
Regular Prices:
3.49 Vlasic Pickles
1.99 Reach Dental Floss
1.99 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
1.99 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
0.99 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.99 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.99 CVS Tootsie Rolls
12.43 TOTAL Regular Prices:
Sale Prices:
1.50 Vlasic Pickles
1.99 Reach Dental Floss
1.00 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
1.00 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
0.88 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.88 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.88 CVS Tootsie Rolls
8.13 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.99 STORE Coupon "Free Reach Floss"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Save $1 Off 3 CVS Candy"
5.00 ExtraBuck
7.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to 14 cents, plus 14 cents in tax, for a total out-of-pocket cost of $0.28. I did lose some of my ECB balance however. I began with 10.50ECB, spent 5ECB, but only earned back 2ECB (for Reach).
So for 28 cents in cash and 3ECB, I got a jar of dill pickle spears, three small bags of Tootsie Rolls, 8 cups of pudding, and some dental floss. Not exactly the best deal, but that sometimes will happen when the ECB offers are uninteresting and coupon items are not on sale. Plus, by purchasing mostly food, I avoid paying tax.
Regular Prices:
3.49 Vlasic Pickles
1.99 Reach Dental Floss
1.99 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
1.99 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
0.99 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.99 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.99 CVS Tootsie Rolls
12.43 TOTAL Regular Prices:
Sale Prices:
1.50 Vlasic Pickles
1.99 Reach Dental Floss
1.00 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
1.00 Hunts 4-Pack Pudding
0.88 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.88 CVS Tootsie Rolls
0.88 CVS Tootsie Rolls
8.13 TOTAL Sales Prices
Coupons and Discounts Applied:
1.99 STORE Coupon "Free Reach Floss"
1.00 STORE Coupon "Save $1 Off 3 CVS Candy"
5.00 ExtraBuck
7.99 TOTAL Coupons and Discounts
My balance came to 14 cents, plus 14 cents in tax, for a total out-of-pocket cost of $0.28. I did lose some of my ECB balance however. I began with 10.50ECB, spent 5ECB, but only earned back 2ECB (for Reach).
So for 28 cents in cash and 3ECB, I got a jar of dill pickle spears, three small bags of Tootsie Rolls, 8 cups of pudding, and some dental floss. Not exactly the best deal, but that sometimes will happen when the ECB offers are uninteresting and coupon items are not on sale. Plus, by purchasing mostly food, I avoid paying tax.
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